Retractor system, swivel lock, and surgical retractor blade

ABSTRACT

A retractor system includes a retractor arm and a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via a swivel gear of a retractor blade connector. The retractor blade includes an attachment post extending through a port of the swivel gear. The retractor blade connector further includes a swivel gear detent and a plunger. The swivel gear detent is positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis. The plunger is movable among at least a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis. In the unlocked position, the plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/708,718, filed Dec. 20, 2019, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a surgical apparatus that retractssoft tissue and other anatomy of a patient in order to provide access toa surgical site.

During a surgical procedure, a practitioner may make an incision in apatient to access internal organs, bones, and/or other anatomicalstructures. Surgical retractor blades may be used to hold back softtissue and other patient anatomy in the immediate area of the incision.Such retractor blades may provide the practitioner with an unobstructedview of the internal organs, bones, and/or other anatomical structures.Furthermore, the retractor blades may provide the practitioner with anopening via which the practitioner may access the anatomical structureswith one or more surgical tools.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such approaches with the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a retractor systemcomprising surgical retractor blades that retract anatomy and provideexposure of a surgical site. For example and without limitation, variousaspects of the present disclosure are directed to a retractor systemhaving an retractor arm that may be detachably coupled to a surgicalretractor blade via a retractor blade connector and its swivel gear. Theswivel gear may be locked to prevent rotation or swiveling of thesurgical retractor blade with respect to the retractor blade connector.When in an unlocked state or a swivel state, the swivel gear may permitrotation or swiveling of the surgical retractor blade with respect tothe retractor blade connector. In some embodiments, the retractor bladeconnector includes one or more buttons, levers, plungers, and/or othermechanisms which a practitioner may actuate in order to selective switchamong a locked state, an unlocked state, and a swivel state withoutchanging the position of the surgical retractor blade with respect tothe retractor blade connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a retractor system in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a retractor blade of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 3A-3I provide various views of an exemplary retractor bladeconnector of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 3J-3K provide perspective views of an exemplary plunger of theretractor blade connector of FIGS. 3A-3I.

FIGS. 3L-3M provide views of an exemplary swivel gear of the retractorblade connector of FIGS. 3A-3I.

FIGS. 3N-3O provide views of an exemplary swivel gear detent of theretractor blade connector of FIGS. 3A-3I.

FIGS. 4A-4B provide various views of another exemplary retractor bladeconnector of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 4C-4D provide views of an exemplary swivel gear of the retractorblade connector of FIGS. 4A-4B.

FIGS. 5A-5B provide various views of yet another exemplary retractorblade connector of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Per various aspects of the present disclosure, a retractor systemincludes a frame to which a proximal end of a retractor arm may beaffixed. A distal end of the retractor arm may include a retractor bladeconnector that detachably couples to an attachment post of a surgicalretractor blade and retains the retractor blade in a desired position.In particular, the retractor blade may be inserted into a surgical siteand positioned to retract anatomy of the surgical site. A swivel gear ofthe retractor blade connector may engage the retractor blade and preventrotation or swiveling of the retractor blade with respect to theretractor blade connector when the swivel gear is in a locked state. Theswivel gear may also permit rotation or swiveling of the retractor bladewith respect to the retractor blade connector when the swivel gear is inan unlocked state or a swivel state. In some embodiments, the retractorblade connector includes one or more buttons, levers, plungers, and/orother mechanisms which a practitioner may actuate in order to selectiveswitch among locked, unlocked, and swivel states. In certainembodiments, the retractor blade connector may switch among locked,unlocked, and swivel states without disengaging the retractor bladeand/or changing the position of a retractor blade with respect to theretractor blade connector.

The following presents details regarding various aspects of the presentdisclosure by way example. Such examples are non-limiting, and thus thescope of various aspects of the present disclosure should notnecessarily be limited by any particular characteristics of the providedexamples. In the following discussion, the phrases “for example,”“e.g.,” and “exemplary” are non-limiting and are generally synonymouswith “by way of example and not limitation,” “for example and notlimitation,” and the like.

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in thelist joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any elementof the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/ory” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y, and/or z”means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x,z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one ormore of x, y, and z.”

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexamples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Asused herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural formsas well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will befurther understood that the terms “comprises,” “includes,” “comprising,”“including,” “has,” “have,” “having,” and the like when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another element. Thus, for example, a first element, afirst component or a first section discussed below could be termed asecond element, a second component or a second section without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure. Similarly, various spatialterms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” and the like, may be used indistinguishing one element from another element in a relative manner. Itshould be understood, however, that components may be oriented indifferent manners, for example a semiconductor device may be turnedsideways so that its “top” surface is facing horizontally and its “side”surface is facing vertically, without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

In the drawings, various dimensions (e.g., lengths, widths, etc.) may beexaggerated for illustrative clarity. Additionally, like referencenumbers are utilized to refer to like elements through the discussionsof various examples.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a retractor system 10 isillustrated. The retractor system 10 may include a frame assembly 20,one or more retractor arms 30 coupled to the frame assembly 20, and oneor more retractor blades 40 coupled to the retractor arms 30. Thevarious components of the retractor system 10 may be made of stainlesssteel and/or other materials suitable for sterilization.

The frame assembly 20 may include one or more posts 22, frame arms 24,and one or more frame clamps 27. Each post 22 may be fixed to a rail ofa hospital bed and/or floor stand such that the post 22 extends upwardin a generally vertical direction. Each post 22 may provide a locationto which a frame arm 24 may be secured. In the illustrated embodiment,two posts 22 (the second post is out of frame) are secured on oppositesides of a hospital bed, with a frame arm 24 secured to each post 22 bya frame clamp 27. The frame arms 24 may be positioned to generallycircumscribe a surgical site. The frame arms 24 may occupy a generallyhorizontal plane, and may provide a location to which other componentsof the retractor system 10, such as retractor arms 30 and/or retractorclamps 26, may be affixed.

As further shown, each retractor arm 30 may include an elongated member32, a retractor blade connector 34, and a retractor clamp 26. Theretractor blade connector 34 may be attached to a distal end 35 of theelongated member 32 and a retractor blade 40 may be coupled to theelongated member 32 of the retractor arm 30 via its retractor bladeconnector 34. A proximal end 36 of the elongated member 32 may passthrough a retractor clamp 26. The retractor clamp 26 may clamp orotherwise affix the elongated member 32 to a frame arm 24 of theretractor system 10. In some embodiments, a retractor blade connector 34may be welded, integrated, or otherwise stationarily affixed to thedistal end 35 of the retractor arm 30. In other embodiments, a retractorblade connector 34 may be coupled to the distal end 35 of the retractorarm 30 via a pivot or hinge. In such embodiments, the retractor bladeconnector 34 may be pivoted or otherwise adjusted with respect to theretractor arm 30 in order to position an attached retractor blade 40 ina desired position.

As explained in greater detail below, each retractor blade connector 34may include a swivel gear 38 that permits a retractor blade 40 coupledto the retractor blade connector 34 to rotate or swivel about a swivelaxis when the swivel gear 38 is in an unlocked state or a swivel state.Conversely, the swivel gear 38 may prevent a retractor blade 40 coupledto the retractor blade connector 34 from rotating or swiveling about theswivel axis when the swivel gear 38 is in a locked state.

As shown, in FIG. 1 , the elongated member 32 of the retractor arm 30includes a single arm portion (e.g., rod, gear rack, tube, etc.) thatpermits positioning the retractor blade connector 34 and attachedretractor blade 40 at a desired distance from a respective frame arm 24.However, the elongated member 32 in some embodiments may comprise asegmented arm having several arm portions (e.g., rods, gear racks,tubes, etc.) that are adjoined to one another via adjustable joints,hinges, and/or angling mechanisms. In such embodiments, the joints,hinges, and/or angling mechanisms may permit adjusting an angle betweenarm portions of the segmented arm and give the practitioner more freedomin positioning the retractor blade 40 in a desired position.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the retractor blade 40is presented. In general, the retractor blade 40 comprises a retractorbody 410 and one or more blades 420 extending from the retractor body410. Each blade 420 may comprise a smooth, thin plate with dull edgesthat is inserted into an incision to pull back the tissue. The blades420 may come in many different sizes depending on the particularapplication and physical characteristics of the patient. The blades 420may be slightly curved or completely flat, and may have end prongs ofvarious configurations to make it easier to pull back tissue. In someembodiment, the retractor body 410 and the one or more blades 420 areformed, molded, stamped or otherwise manufactured as a single,integrated unit.

As depicted, the blade 420 may comprise a distal end 422, a proximal end424, a retracting portion 426. The distal end 422 generally correspondsto the end of the blade 420 inserted into an incision of a patientduring a surgical procedure, and the proximal end 424 generallycorresponds to the end of the blade 420 extending from the incision andout of the patient during a surgical procedure.

The proximal end 424 of the blade 420 adjoins the retractor body 410,thus resulting in the retracting portion 426 generally extending orprojecting from the retractor body 410 toward the distal end 422. Asshown, the retracting portion 426 may form a 90° angle with theretractor body 410; however, other angles between the retracting portion426 and the retractor body 410 are contemplated and may be more suitablefor certain surgical procedures. The retracting portion 426 may be sizedand adapted to hold back tissue from a surgical site during a procedure.In certain embodiments, the retractor system 10 may include a number ofdifferently sized and/or shaped blades 420 to provide increasedadaptability for different procedures and/or patients.

As shown, the retractor body 410 may comprise a generally planar uppersurface 412 and a generally planer lower surface 414 that is coplanarwith the upper surface 412. The retractor body 410 may further includean attachment post 430. The attachment post 430 may extend upwardly fromthe upper surface 412 of the retractor body; whereas the blade 420 mayextend downwardly from the upper surface 412 of the retractor body 410.

The attachment post 430 may be sized and adapted for attachment to theretractor blade connector 34 of the retractor arm 30. To this end, theattachment post 430 may have a generally cylindrical-shape with acircular cross-section. The attachment post 430 may extend from theupper surface 412 of the retractor body 410. In one embodiment, alongitudinal axis A_(S) of the attachment post 430 extends at a rightangle from the upper surface 412; however, the attachment post 430 insome embodiments may extend from the upper surface 412 at other angles.

The attachment post 430 may include a top surface 432 and a side surface434. The side surface 434 may include a groove 440. The groove 440 mayextend circumferentially around the attachment post 430. The diameter ofthe attachment post 430 may be sized such that the attachment post 430may pass through an attachment port 364 of the retractor blade connector34. See, generally, FIGS. 3A-3I.

The groove 440 may be positioned along the side surface 434 of theattachment post 430 to vertically align the attachment post 430 withinthe attachment port 364. As explained below, a retractor blade detent350 or other member of the retractor blade connector 34 may engage thegroove 440 to position the attachment post 430 longitudinally within theattachment port 364. The side surface 434 and groove 440 may be taperedand/or rounded. Such tapering and/or rounding may aid or guide theretractor blade detent 350 of the retractor blade connector 34 intoengagement with the groove 440, thus helping to longitudinally align theattachment post 430 within the attachment port 364.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the retractor blade 40 may include teeth or aserrated surface 433. Similarly, the retractor blade connector 34 mayinclude a swivel gear 38 with teeth or serrated surface 389. See, e.g.,FIGS. 3L and 3M. In general, the teeth 389 of the swivel gear 38 and theteeth 433 of the retractor blade 40 are positioned such that the teeth389, 433 engage each other when the retractor blade 40 is attached toretractor blade connector 34. Such engagement locks the retractor blade40 to the swivel gear 38 such that the swivel gear 38 and attachedretractor blade 40 rotate in unison about the rotational axis A_(S), ifat all. To this end, the teeth 433 of the retractor blade 40 may bepositioned along the upper surface 412 of the retractor body 410, alonga base of the attachment post 430, or at some other location thatpermits engagement with teeth 389 of the swivel gear 38 when theretractor blade 40 is attached to retractor blade connector 34.Conversely, teeth 389 of the swivel gear 38 may be positioned on a lowersurface of the retractor blade connector 34, along a circumference ofthe attachment port 364, or at some other location that permitsengagement with teeth 433 of the retractor blade 40 when the retractorblade 40 is attached to retractor blade connector 34.

In one embodiment, the groove 440 is positioned along the side surface434 such that the teeth 389 engage the teeth 433 when the groove 440 isengaged by the retractor blade detent 350 of the retractor bladeconnector 34. In particular, when the swivel gear 38 is in a lockedstate, the engaged teeth 389, 433 may prevent rotation or swiveling ofthe attached retractor blade 40 about a swivel axis A_(S) of theretractor blade connector 34. Conversely, when the swivel gear 38 is inan unlocked state or a swivel state, the swivel gear 38 may permitrotation or swiveling of the attached retractor blade 40 about theswivel axis A_(S) despite the teeth 433 of the retractor blade 40remaining engaged with teeth 389 of the swivel gear 38. Moreover, whenthe swivel gear 38 is in the unlocked state, the retractor blade 40 mayremain attached to the retractor blade connector 34. In particular, theretractor blade detent 350 of the retractor blade connector 34 maycontinue to engage the groove 440 and prevent the attachment post 430from being longitudinally withdrawn from the attachment port 364. Thus,by selectively switching between the locked and unlocked state of theswivel gear 38, a practitioner may selectively choose between (i)permitting an attached retractor blade 40 to freely rotate or swivelabout the swivel axis A_(S) and (ii) preventing the attached retractorblade 40 from freely rotating or swiveling about the swivel axis A_(S).

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3O, one embodiment of a retractor bladeconnector 34 with a swivel gear 38 is shown. The retractor bladeconnector 34 may include a housing 310 having an upper surface 312, alower surface 314, and one or more side surfaces or sidewalls 316 thatadjoin the upper surface 312 and the lower surface 314. A proximal end318 of the housing 310 may be attached to a distal end 35 of a retractorarm 30.

As shown in FIGS. 3C-3D, the retractor blade connector 34 may include anattachment port 364 and an adjoining swivel gear 38. As explained above,the attachment port 364 generally receives the attachment post 430 of asurgical retractor blade 40. As such, the attachment port 364 provides acylindrical aperture that passes through the upper surface 312 and lowersurface 314 of the housing 310. Moreover, the attachment port 364 has adiameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the attachmentpost 430. As such, an inner wall 365 of the attachment port 364 mayclosely mate with the side surface 434 of the attachment post 430 whenthe attachment post 430 is loaded into the attachment port 364.

Similarly, the swivel gear 38 generally receives the attachment post 430of a surgical retractor blade 40. As shown in FIGS. 3L and 3M, theswivel gear 38 may include a cylindrical aperture or port 385 thatpasses through a lower surface 382 and an upper surface 384 of theswivel gear 38. The swivel gear port 385 may have a diameter that isslightly larger than the diameter of the attachment post 430. As such,an inner wall 386 of the swivel gear port 385 may closely mate with theside surface 434 of the attachment post 430 when the attachment post 430is loaded into the swivel gear port 385.

The swivel gear 38 may further comprise longitudinal sidewalls 383joining the lower surface 382 to the upper surface 384. The swivel gearport 385 may longitudinally traverse the swivel gear 38 such that theswivel gear port 385 passes through the lower surface 382 and the uppersurface 384. The longitudinal sidewalls 383 may include first teeth 387that extend radially outward from a rotational or swivel axis A_(S) ofthe swivel gear 38. The swivel gear 38 may further include second teeth389 that extend axially downward from the lower surface 382. The swivelgear 38 may also include a groove 388 in the longitudinal sidewall 383.The groove 388 may be positioned in the sidewall 383 between the firstteeth 387 and the second teeth 389 and may run circumferentially aboutthe sidewall 383.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, one or more pins 311 may pass through thehousing 310. Lateral surfaces of the pins 311 may engage the groove 388of the swivel gear 38. Via such engagement with the groove 388, the pins311 may attach the swivel gear 38 to the housing 310 and align theattachment port 364 of the housing 310 with the swivel gear port 385 ofthe swivel gear 38 such that the ports 364, 385 are coaxial. Moreover,the pins 311 allow the swivel gear 38 to rotate about the swivel axisA_(S) and restrict coaxial movement of the swivel gear 38 along theattachment port 364.

As further shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the retractor blade connector 34may include a retractor blade detent 350 and a swivel gear detent 360.The retractor blade detent 350 may selectively secure a retractor blade40 to the retractor blade connector 34 when an attachment post 430 ofthe retractor blade 40 is loaded through the swivel gear port 385 of theswivel gear 38 and into the attachment port 364 of the retractor bladeconnector 34. More specifically, the retractor blade detent 350 mayselectively engage the attachment post 430 and prevent the attachmentpost 430 from being longitudinally withdrawn from the attachment port364 after the attachment post 430 is longitudinally inserted into theattachment port 364. The swivel gear detent 360 may selectively lock theswivel gear 38 and prevent rotation of the swivel gear 38. As explainedin greater detail below, such locking of the swivel gear 38 may preventa retractor blade 40, which is loaded through the swivel gear port 385of the swivel gear 38 and into the attachment port 364, from rotatingabout the swivel axis A_(S) of the swivel gear 38.

The retractor blade detent 350 may be positioned in a retractor bladedetent channel 352 that permits the retractor blade detent 350 traversealong the retractor blade detent channel 352. A distal end 353 (See,e.g. FIG. 3G.) of the retractor blade detent channel 352 may provide aretractor blade detent opening in the inner wall 365 of the attachmentport 364. The retractor blade detent opening may be longitudinallypositioned along the inner wall 365 of the attachment port 364 such thatthe retractor blade detent opening aligns a distal end of the retractorblade detent 350 with the groove 440 of the attachment post 430 whenloaded. Thus, when the retractor blade detent 350 is selectivelyextended through the retractor blade detent opening, the distal end ofthe retractor blade detent 350 extends into and engages the groove 440of the attachment post 430. By engaging the groove 440, the retractorblade detent 350 may prevent the attachment post 430 from beingsubsequently withdrawn from the attachment port 364. See, e.g., FIG. 3D.

In the depicted embodiment, the retractor blade detent 350 comprises twoball bearings. However, in other embodiments, the retractor blade detent350 may include other structures such as a different number of ballbearings, a cylindrical rod similar to the swivel gear detent 360, oranother structural member that may traverse along the retractor bladedetent channel 352 and selectively engage the attachment post 430.

Similarly, the swivel gear detent 360 may be positioned in a swivel geardetent channel 362. The swivel gear detent channel 362 may permitmovement of the swivel gear detent 360 along the swivel gear detentchannel 362. A distal end 363 of the swivel gear detent channel 362 mayprovide a swivel gear detent opening that is longitudinally positionedto align a distal end 366 of the swivel gear detent 360 with the radialteeth 387 of the swivel gear 38. Thus, when a distal end 366 of theswivel gear detent 360 is selectively extended through the secondopening, one or more teeth 367 at the distal end 366 of the swivel geardetent 360 may engage the radial teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38. See,e.g., FIGS. 3D and 3N. By engaging the teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38,the swivel gear detent 360 may prevent rotation of the swivel gear 38about its swivel axis A_(S) and also prevent rotation of a retractorblade 40 engaged with the swivel gear 38.

As shown FIGS. 3N and 3O, the swivel gear detent 360 may have agenerally cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section. Moreover, insome embodiments, the swivel gear detent 360 may be keyed to ensure theteeth 367 remain in a desired orientation to ensure proper engagementwith teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38. For example, as shown in FIG. 3O,the longitudinal sides 368 may include a flatten or otherwise keyedportion 369 that closely mates with a similarly keyed swivel gear detentchannel 362. Such keying ensures the swivel gear detent 360 does notrotate within the swivel gear detent channel 362 and the teeth 367 alignwith teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38.

In the depicted embodiment, the swivel gear detent 360 comprises arod-like, cylindrical member, which is shown in greater detail in FIGS.3N-3O. However, in other embodiments, the retractor blade detent 350 mayinclude other structures such as one or more ball bearings and/or oranother structural member that may traverse along the swivel gear detentchannel 362 and selectively engage the swivel gear 38. An embodiment inwhich the swivel gear detent 360 comprises a ball bearing is describedbelow with respect to FIGS. 4A-4D.

As further shown in FIGS. 3A-3G, the retractor blade connector 34 mayinclude a plunger 39 and a plunger channel 50 that passes throughsidewalls 316 of housing 310. The plunger channel 50 may permit movementof the plunger 39 along the plunger channel 50. The plunger channel 50may intersect the retractor blade detent channel 352 and the swivel geardetent channel 362 so that the plunger 39 may interact with theretractor blade detent 350 and the swivel gear detent 360. In oneembodiment, the plunger 39 may be slid or urged along the plungerchannel 50 via forces applied by plunger biasing spring 391 and/orforces applied to distal ends 392, 393 by, for example, a practitionerpressing on such ends 392, 393. In one embodiment, such applied forcesmay selectively move the plunger 39 to one of three positions or states.

A locked position of the plunger 39 is shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. In thelocked position, the plunger 39 may place the retractor blade detent 350and the swivel gear detent 360 in a locked state. An unlocked positionof the plunger 39 is shown in FIGS. 3E-3G. In the unlocked position, theplunger 39 may place the retractor blade detent 350 and the swivel geardetent 360 in an unlocked state. A swivel position of the plunger 39 isshown in FIGS. 3H-3I. In the swivel position, the plunger 39 may placethe retractor blade detent 350 in a locked state and the swivel geardetent 360 in an unlocked state.

More specifically, in the locked position, the plunger 39 may bepositioned along the plunger channel 50 such that a first step 394 ofthe plunger 39 aligns with the retractor blade detent channel 352 andthe retractor blade detent 350, and a second step 396 of the plunger 39aligns with the swivel gear detent channel 362 and the swivel geardetent 360. FIG. 3K shows the first step 394 and the second step 396aligned with one another. In particular, the first step 394 and thesecond step 396 in one embodiment are implemented as co-aligned stepsdue to the retractor blade detent channel 352 and the swivel gear detentchannel 362 being vertically aligned with one another per FIGS. 3C and3D. However, in some embodiments the retractor blade detent channel 352and the swivel gear detent channel 362 may not be vertically aligned.For example, the retractor blade detent channel 352 and the swivel geardetent channel 362 may each have a different radially offset about theswivel axis A_(S). In such embodiments, the first step 394 and thesecond step 396 may be offset from each other so as to respectivelyalign with the retractor blade detent channel 352 and the swivel geardetent channel 362 when the plunger 39 is positioned in the lockedposition along the plunger channel 50.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the first step 394 of the plunger 39 may force orurge the retractor blade detent 350 into the attachment port 364 of theretractor blade connector 34. As shown in FIG. 3D, forcing the retractorblade detent 350 into the attachment port 364 when attachment post 430is loaded in the attachment port 364 results in the retractor bladedetent 350 entering the groove 440 of the attachment post 430 andengaging the attachment post 430. As is clear from FIG. 3D, the engagedretractor blade detent 350 prevents the attachment post 430 from beinglongitudinally withdrawn (e.g., in a downward direction of FIG. 3D) fromthe attachment port 364 since the attachment post 430 is unable to slidepast the retractor blade detent 350.

As shown in FIGS. 3B-3D, the second step 396 of the plunger 39 may forceor urge the swivel gear detent 360 toward the attachment port 364 andinto the swivel gear 38. Forcing the swivel gear detent 360 into swivelgear 38, causes one or more teeth 367 of the swivel gear detent 360 toengage one or more teeth 387 of the swivel gear 374. Such engagementprevents rotation of the swivel gear 38 about is swivel axis A_(S) sincethe teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38 are unable to rotate past the teeth367 of the swivel gear detent 360. As shown in FIG. 3D, the axial teeth389 of the swivel gear 38 engage teeth 433 of the retractor blade 40when the retractor blade 40 is attached to retractor blade connector 34.Thus, such engagement of the swivel gear detent 360 with the swivel gear38 may prevent the attached retractor blade 40 from rotating about theswivel axis A_(S) due to (i) the swivel gear detent 360 preventingrotation of the swivel gear 38 and its axial teeth 389, and (ii) theteeth of the retractor blade 40 being unable to rotate past the axialteeth 389 which are held in place by the swivel gear detent 360.

As further shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the retractor blade connector 34may include a plunger detent 400 and a plunger detent biasing spring 402in a plunger detent channel 404. In general, the plunger detent 400 isconfigured to retain the plunger 39 in one or more positions. To thisend, the plunger detent biasing spring 402 may be compressed andpositioned between the plunger detent 400 and a proximal end of theplunger detent channel 404. As a result of such compression, the plungerdetent biasing spring 402 may urge or force the plunger detent 400toward a distal end of the plunger detent channel 404 and into abackside surface 395 of the plunger 39.

As shown in FIG. 3J, the backside 395 of the plunger 39 may include afirst depression 397 associated with the locked position of the plunger39 and a second depression 399 associated with the swivel position ofthe plunger 39. In particular, the first depression 397 is positionedalong the backside 395 of the plunger 39 such that the first depression397 aligns with the plunger detent channel 404 when the plunger 39 is inthe locked position. Similarly, the second depression 399 is positionedalong the backside 395 of the plunger 39 such that the second depression399 aligns with the plunger detent channel 404 when the plunger 39 is inthe swivel position. As such, the plunger detent biasing spring 402respectively urges the plunger detent 400 into the first depression 397and the second depression 399 when the plunger 39 is respectively in thelocked position and the swivel position. Accordingly, the plunger detentbiasing spring 402 and plunger detent 400 may hold the plunger 39 inthese two positions until someone such as the practitioner presseseither distal end 392, 393 of the plunger 39 with a force sufficient toovercome the force of the plunger detent biasing spring 402, thuspermitting the plunger 39 to be slid past the plunger detent 400 andinto a new position.

Of note, the backside 395 of the plunger 39 in the embodiment of FIG. 3Jdoes not include a depression associated with the unlocked position.Instead, the retractor blade connector 34 further includes a plungerbiasing spring 391 in the plunger channel 50. See, e.g., FIGS. 3B and3F. As shown, the plunger biasing spring 391 is positioned between anend of the plunger channel 50 and the plunger 39. Due to such placementof the plunger biasing spring 391, the plunger biasing spring 391 forcesor urges the plunger 39 away from the unlocked position shown in FIGS.3E-3F toward the locked position shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. As such, in orderto load the attachment port 364 with an attachment post 430 of aretractor blade 40, someone such as the practitioner may press and holdthe plunger 39 in the unlocked position. Once loaded, the practitionermay release the plunger 39 allowing the plunger biasing spring 391 tomove or force the plunger 39 to the locked position. In someembodiments, the retractor blade connector 34 may make an audible clickas the retractor blade detent 350, swivel gear detent 360, and/orplunger detent 400 respectively engage and snap into place withrespective grooves/recesses of the attachment post 430, the swivel gear38, and the plunger 39. Such an audible clicks may provide cues to thepractitioner that the plunger 39 is fully positioned into one of thelocked, swivel, and unlocked positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 3E-3G, further details of the unlocked positionare presented. More specifically, in the unlocked position, the plunger39 may be positioned along the plunger channel 50 such that a firstrecess 401 of the plunger 39 aligns with the retractor blade detentchannel 352 and the retractor blade detent 350, and a second recess 403of the plunger 39 aligns with the swivel gear detent channel 362 and theswivel gear detent 360. By aligning the first recess 401 with theretractor blade detent channel 352, the retractor blade detent 350 moveaway from the attachment port 364 as shown in FIG. 3G. As such, theretractor blade detent 350 may disengage the groove 440 of an attachmentpost 430 loaded in the attachment port 364 and permit the attachmentpost 430 to slide past. Similarly, by aligning the second recess 403with the swivel gear detent channel 362, the swivel gear detent 360 moveaway from the attachment port 364 as shown in FIG. 3F. As such, theswivel gear detent 360 may permit teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38 tomove past teeth 367 of the swivel gear detent 360 and thus permit theswivel gear 374 to swivel or rotate about the swivel axis A_(S) as anattachment post 430 is loaded into the attachment port 364.

FIG. 3K shows the first recess 401 and the second recess 403 alignedwith one another. In particular, the first recess 401 and the secondrecess 403 in one embodiment are implemented as co-aligned recesses dueto the retractor blade detent channel 352 and the swivel gear detentchannel 362 being vertically aligned with one another per FIGS. 3C and3D. However, in some embodiments the retractor blade detent channel 352and the swivel gear detent channel 362 may not be vertically aligned.For example, the retractor blade detent channel 352 and the swivel geardetent channel 362 may each have a different radially offset about theswivel axis A_(S). In such embodiments, the first recess 401 and thesecond recess 403 may be offset from each other so as to respectivelyalign with the retractor blade detent channel 352 and the swivel geardetent channel 362 when the plunger 39 is positioned in the unlockedposition along the plunger channel 50.

FIG. 3K further shows inclines or ramps 405, 407 that respectivelycouple the first recess 401 with the first step 394 and the secondrecess 403 with the second step 396. In particular, the first ramp 405provides a gradual transition or incline between the first recess 401and the first step 394. Such gradual incline enables the plunger 39 tourge the retractor blade detent 350 from the first recess 401 to thefirst step 394 as the plunger 39 traverses the plunger channel 50.Similarly, the second ramp 407 provides a gradual transition or inclinebetween the second recess 403 and the second step 396. Such gradualincline enables the plunger 39 to urge the swivel gear detent 360 fromthe second recess 403 to the second step 396 as the plunger 39 traversesthe plunger channel 50.

As noted above, the backside 395 of the plunger 39 in the embodiment ofFIG. 3J does not include a depression associated with the unlockedposition. As such, the plunger detent 400 may engage the backside 395 ofthe plunger 39, but not either depression 397, 399 when in the unlockedposition. See, e.g., FIG. 3G. When the practitioner stops pressing thedistal end 393 of the plunger 39, the plunger biasing spring 391 maycause the plunger 39 to move away from the unlocked position of FIGS.3E-3G and into the locked position of FIGS. 3A-3D. Upon achieving thelocked position, the plunger detent biasing spring 402 may cause theplunger detent 400 to engage the depression 397 in the backside 395 andmay stop the plunger biasing spring 391 from further moving the plunger39 away from the unlocked position.

Referring now to FIGS. 3H and 3I, further details of the swivel positionare presented. More specifically, in the swivel position, the plunger 39may be positioned along the plunger channel 50 such that a third step408 of the plunger 39 aligns with the retractor blade detent channel 352and the retractor blade detent 350, and a third recess 409 of theplunger 39 aligns with the swivel gear detent channel 362 and the swivelgear detent 360. By aligning the third step 408 with the retractor bladedetent channel 352, the retractor blade detent 350 remains extended intothe attachment port 364. See, e.g., FIGS. 3C and 3H. As such, theretractor blade detent 350 may engage the groove 440 of an attachmentpost 430 loaded in the attachment port 364 and prevent the attachmentpost 430 from being withdrawn from the attachment port 364. Conversely,by aligning the third recess 409 with the swivel gear detent channel362, the swivel gear detent 360 may be moved away from the attachmentport 364 as shown in FIG. 3I. As such, the swivel gear detent 360 maypermit teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38 to move past teeth 367 of theswivel gear detent 360 and thus permit the swivel gear 38 and aretractor blade 40 engaged with the swivel gear 38 to swivel or rotateabout the swivel axis A_(S).

FIG. 3K further shows a third ramp 411 that couples the third recess 409with the second step 396. In particular, the third ramp 411 provides agradual transition or incline between the third recess 409 and thesecond step 396. Such gradual incline enables the plunger 39 to urge theswivel gear detent 360 from the third recess 409 to the second step 398as the plunger 39 traverses the plunger channel 50.

As noted above, the backside 395 of the plunger 39 may include a seconddepression 399 associated with the swivel position of the plunger 39. Inparticular, the second depression 399 is positioned along the backside395 of the plunger 39 such that the second depression 399 aligns withthe plunger detent channel 404 when the plunger 39 is in the swivelposition. As such, the plunger detent biasing spring 402 respectivelyurges the plunger detent 400 into the second depression 399 when theplunger 39 is in the swivel position. See, e.g., FIG. 3H. Accordingly,the plunger detent biasing spring 402 and plunger detent 400 may holdthe plunger 39 in the swivel position until someone such as thepractitioner presses distal end 392 of the plunger 39 with a forcesufficient to overcome the force of the plunger detent biasing spring402, thus permitting the plunger 39 to be slid past the plunger detent400 and into the locked position.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, another embodiment of a retractor bladeconnector 34′ is shown. In general, the retractor blade connector 34′operates in a manner similar to the retractor blade connector 34. Assuch, similar aspects of the retractor blade connector 34′ are labeledwith reference numerals similar to those used to label retractor bladeconnector 34. However, the retractor blade connector 34′ utilizes aswivel gear detent 360′ of one or more ball bearings instead of theswivel gear detent 360 of FIGS. 3N-3O. As such, the swivel gear 38′ ofthe retractor blade connector 34′ includes a circumferential ring ofspherical depressions 387′ as shown in FIGS. 4C-4D, which effectivelyreplace the radially teeth 387 of the swivel gear 38 shown in FIGS.3L-3M. The spherical depressions 387′ are sized to engage and closelymate with a ball bearing of the swivel gear detent 360′ when the plunger39 is in the locked position. Due to such engagement, the swivel geardetent 360′ may lock or prevent the swivel gear 38′ from rotating aboutits swivel axis A_(S) when the plunger 39 is in the locked position.Moreover, the swivel gear detent 306′ may disengage from the depressions387′ and permit the swivel gear 38′ to rotate about its swivel axisA_(S) when the plunger 39 is in the swivel position or the unlockedposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, yet another embodiment of a retractorblade connector 34″ is shown. In general, the retractor blade connector34″ operates in a manner similar to the retractor blade connector 34. Assuch, similar aspects of the retractor blade connector 34″ are labeledwith reference numerals similar to those used to label retractor bladeconnector 34. However, the retractor blade connector 34″ utilizes afirst plunger 39′ and a second plunger 39″ instead of the single plunger39 of FIGS. 3J-3K. In particular, the first plunger 39′ operates theretractor blade detent 350 in a manner similar to the operation of theplunger 39 of FIGS. 3J-3K. To this end, the first plunger 39′essentially includes the first step 394, the first recess 401, and thefirst ramp 405 of the plunger 39. The plunger biasing spring 391 biasesthe first plunger 39′ toward a locked position in which the first step394 is aligned with the retractor blade detent 350 and urges the firstdetent into engagement with the attachment post 430. To disengage theretractor blade detent 350, a practitioner may press and hold distal end393′ of the first plunger 39′ so as to align the first recess 401 withthe retractor blade detent 350. While holding the first plunger 39′ inthe unlocked position, the practitioner may load and/or unload anattachment post 430 of a retractor blade 40 from the attachment port364. Upon release of distal end 393′ of the first plunger 39′, theplunger biasing spring 391 may return the first plunger 39′ to thelocked position.

The second plunger 39″ operates the swivel gear detent 360 in a mannersimilar to the operation of the plunger 39 of FIGS. 3A-3K. To this end,the second plunger 39″ essentially includes the second step 396, thefirst depression 397, the second depression 399, the third recess 409,and the third ramp 411 of the plunger 39. In general, the second plunger39″ may be placed in a locked position in which the plunger detent 400engages the first depression 397 or in an unlocked position in which theplunger detent 400 engages the second depression 399. The plunger detent400 and the plunger detent biasing spring 402 may retain the secondplunger 39″ in its respective position until a force applied to a distalend 392″, 393″ of the second plunger 39″ is sufficient to overcome theplunger detent 400.

FIG. 5B depicts the second plunger 39″ in a locked position. As such,the second step 396 is aligned with the swivel gear detent 360 thuscausing the swivel gear detent 360 to engage the swivel gear 38. In suchposition, the swivel gear detent 360 prevents the swivel gear 38 and anyretractor blade 40 engaged with the swivel gear 38 from rotating aboutthe swivel axis A_(S). A practitioner may press the distal end 393″ ofthe second plunger 39″ to cause the second plunger 39″ to traverse asecond plunger channel 50′ until the third recess 409 aligns with theswivel gear detent 360. In such position, the swivel gear detent 360 maybe urged away from the swivel gear 38 so as to permit the swivel gear 38and any retractor blade 40 engaged with the swivel gear 38 to rotateabout the swivel axis A_(S). Conversely, when in a swivel position, apractitioner may press the distal end 392″ of the second plunger 39″ tocause the second plunger 39″ to traverse a second plunger channel 50′until the second step 396 aligns with the swivel gear detent 360. Insuch position, the swivel gear detent 360 may be urged into engagementwith the swivel gear 38 and prevent the swivel gear 38 and any retractorblade 40 engaged with the swivel gear 38 from rotating about the swivelaxis A_(S).

While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown,it will be understood that the appended claims are not limited theretosince modifications may be made by those skilled in the art,particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore, theappended claims that define the true spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure and its embodiments.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A retractor blade connector, comprising: a housingcomprising a housing upper surface, a housing lower surface, and ahousing port that extends through the housing upper surface and thehousing lower surface; and a swivel gear comprising a swivel gear uppersurface, a swivel gear lower surface, and a swivel gear port thatextends longitudinally through the swivel gear upper surface and theswivel gear lower surface; wherein the swivel gear is rotatably mountedto the housing such that the swivel gear port aligns with the housingport and a rotational axis of the swivel gear aligns with a longitudinalaxis of the housing port; and wherein the swivel gear lower surfacecomprises one or more swivel gear teeth that engage a retractor bladeand confine a rotation of the retractor blade to a rotation of theswivel gear about the rotational axis of the swivel gear when the swivelgear port receives an attachment post of the retractor blade andattaches the retractor blade to the retractor blade connector.
 20. Theretractor blade connector of claim 19, comprising a swivel gear detentpositioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivelgear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotationalaxis of the swivel gear.
 21. The retractor blade connector of claim 20,comprising a plunger movable between at least: a locked position inwhich the plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with theswivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attachedretractor blade about the rotational axis; and an unlocked position inwhich the plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor bladeto rotate past the swivel gear detent.
 22. The retractor blade connectorof claim 21, comprising a biasing spring that biases the plunger towardthe locked position.
 23. The retractor blade connector of claim 21,wherein: the swivel gear comprises swivel gear sidewalls between theswivel gear upper surface and the swivel gear lower surface; the swivelgear sidewalls comprise one or more teeth; and the swivel gear detentcomprises one or more teeth that engage the one or more teeth of theswivel gear sidewalls when the plunger is in the locked position. 24.The retractor blade connector of claim 21, wherein: the swivel gearcomprises swivel gear sidewalls between the swivel gear upper surfaceand the swivel gear lower surface; the swivel gear sidewalls comprise acircumferential ring of depressions; and the swivel gear detentcomprises a ball bearing that engages a depression of thecircumferential ring of depressions when the plunger is in the lockedposition.
 25. The retractor blade connector of claim 19, comprising: aplunger movable between at least a locked position and an unlockedposition; and a retractor blade detent positioned to selectively engagethe attachment post of the retractor blade when the attachment post isreceived by the swivel gear port; and wherein the plunger, when in thelocked position, urges the retractor blade detent into engagement withthe attachment post of the retractor blade and prevents withdrawal ofthe attachment post of the retractor blade from the swivel gear port.26. The retractor blade connector of claim 25, comprising a biasingspring that biases the plunger toward the locked position.
 27. Theretractor blade connector of claim 19, wherein the one or more teeth ofthe swivel gear engage one or more teeth of the retractor blade when theretractor blade is attached to the retractor blade connector via theswivel gear.
 28. The retractor blade connector of claim 19, wherein theswivel gear port circumscribes the attachment post of the retractorblade when the retractor blade is attached to the retractor bladeconnector.
 29. A retractor system, comprising: a retractor armcomprising an elongated member and a retractor blade connector coupledto an end of the elongated member, the retractor blade connectorcomprising a swivel gear comprising a swivel gear port and a rotationalaxis; and a retractor blade attached to retractor arm via the swivelgear, the retractor blade comprising a retractor body, an attachmentpost extending from the retractor body and into the swivel gear port,and a blade extending from the retractor body; wherein the swivel gearcomprises a swivel gear upper surface and a swivel gear lower surface;wherein the swivel gear port extends longitudinally through the swivelgear upper surface and the swivel gear lower surface; and wherein theswivel gear engages the retractor blade and confines a rotation of theretractor blade to a rotation of the swivel gear about the rotationalaxis of the swivel gear.
 30. The retractor system of claim 29, whereinthe retractor blade connector comprises a swivel gear detent positionedto selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear andattached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis of theswivel gear.
 31. The retractor system of claim 30, wherein the retractorblade connector comprises a plunger movable between at least: a lockedposition in which the plunger urges the swivel gear detent intoengagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gearand attached retractor blade about the rotational axis; and an unlockedposition in which the plunger permits the swivel gear and attachedretractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent.
 32. The retractorsystem of claim 31, wherein the retractor blade connector comprises abiasing spring that biases the plunger toward the locked position. 33.The retractor system of claim 31, wherein: the swivel gear comprisesswivel gear sidewalls between the swivel gear upper surface and theswivel gear lower surface; the swivel gear sidewalls comprise one ormore teeth; and the swivel gear detent comprises one or more teeth thatengage the one or more teeth of the swivel gear sidewalls when theplunger is in the locked position.
 34. The retractor system of claim 31,wherein: the swivel gear comprises swivel gear sidewalls between theswivel gear upper surface and the swivel gear lower surface; the swivelgear sidewalls comprise a circumferential ring of depressions; and theswivel gear detent comprises a ball bearing that engages a depression ofthe circumferential ring of the depressions when the plunger is in thelocked position.
 35. The retractor system of claim 29, wherein theretractor blade connector comprises: a plunger movable between at leasta locked position and an unlocked position; and a retractor blade detentpositioned to selectively engage the attachment post of the retractorblade when the attachment post is received by the swivel gear port; andwherein the plunger, when in the locked position, urges the retractorblade detent into engagement with the attachment post of the attachedretractor blade and prevents withdrawal of the attachment post of theattached retractor blade from the swivel gear port.
 36. The retractorsystem of claim 35, wherein the retractor blade connector comprises abiasing spring that biases the plunger toward the locked position. 37.The retractor system of claim 29, wherein: the swivel gear lower surfacecomprises one or more teeth; and the one or more teeth of the swivelgear engage one or more teeth of the attached retractor blade.
 38. Theretractor system of claim 29, wherein the swivel gear port circumscribesthe attachment post of the attached retractor blade.